he came to america a decade later. showing an interest and aptitude in science. eventually taking a job with grumman aircraft and landing a spot on the biggest project around. apollo 11. the mission that landed the first human on the moon. >> i was assigned to the propulsion group. and we realized what a tremendous challenge this was. because at the time, in the early '60s, we knew practically nothing about space. >> reporter: al keown, suhr visor of man kind's darkest hour, was now part of its singular achievement. >> then the two vehicles separate. while they're orbiting the moon. >> reporter: al was on the team responsible for the rocket propulsion for apollo 11's lunar lander. the vehicle that ultimately got neil armstrong and buzz aldrin to the moon. but more importantly for al, got them off of it as well. >> i'm almost blue in the face holding my breath for the moment where it actually will liftoff. >> reporter: until our interview, al admits he never quite put together his special place in history. his connection to the high and the low. his message to the